Top construction



J. H. BOURGON TOP CONSTRUCTION May 29, 1928.

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 9, 1924 AIS-i4..-

INVENTOR JOSEPH H. BOURGON ATTORNEY May 29, 1928. 1,671,807

J. H. BOURGON TOP CONSTRUCTION Filed July 9, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOSEPH H. BOURGON I ATTORNE May 29, 1928.

J. H. BOURGON TOP CONSTRUCTION Filed July 9, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR J-S-J-E- JOSEPH H. BOURGON l I: I

ATTORNEY;

May 29, 1928. 1,671,807

J. H. BOURGON TOP CONSTRUCTION Filed July 9, 1924 4 Sheetg-Sheet 4 l.L4::: J 5 lama-LE5...

,INVENTOR JOSEPH H. BOURGON ILS-EJ-Q-I W I AT T m Patented May, 29, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH H. BOURGON,-OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB T THESTUDEBAKER COB- PQRATION, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AND DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A. CORPORA- TION OF NEW JERSEY.

'ror consrauc'rron.

Application filed July 9, 1924. Serial 80. 725,062.

This invention relates to tops for motor vehicles and the like and particularly to rmanent tops which are used on automo 'lle bodies of the open type. Y

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a top of the class described of novel Another object of the present invention is to provide a permanent top for an automobile in which the. various top sup rtlng members are secured to the top so t at the completed structure forms a single unit attachable to the automobile as suc Another object is to providesuch a top in which the metal side members'of the frame constitute the top side uarters and which may be provided with means for supporting roller curtains.

Another object is to rovide top supporting members with gui es or grooves. to receive the front and rear edges of the front and rear curtains respectively when the curtains are in extended or lowered position and thus serve as means to prevent the ingress of the elements of the weather to the interior of the vehicle;

A further ob'ect is to provide a removable cover or shiel for enclosing that part of the interior of the top quarter which carries the curtain rollers, the lower edge of the shield acting as a guide for the curtains when the same are bein raisedor lowered.

A still further object 18 -to provide a body construction havin the beaut of desi and conveniences a orded in c osed bodles but at less cost and of much less weight.

The above being among the objects of the present invention the same consists of certain features of construction and combination of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and then claimed, having the above and other objects inview.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a suitable embodiment of the present invention, and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete top as it appears upon an automobile.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the complete top frame before the coverin lining, and other finishin parts are secure thereto.

Figure a ragmentary sectional perspective v1ew of a portion of the top, taken. perpendicularly to the length of the top between the second and-third cross ribs, the curtains being removed to more clearly show the curtain supporting brackets and the midsup ort for the curtain shield.

igur'e is a fragmentary sectional erspective vlew ofya portion of the top ta en in a plane parallel to that of the section shown in-Figure 3,'but slightly to the rear of the shield mid-support, the curtains and curtain shield being shown in place, andi:-the

top cross ribs not being shown tomore clearly show the other features.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the inner side of the completed top, the curtain shield being shown displaced from normal position to better illustrate the invention. 1

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the rear qzuarter panels.

Figure is a fragmentary perspective sec tional view illustrating the manner in which the rear quarter panels are secured to the 7 top proper.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective-sectional view illustratingthe manner in which the rear quarter panels are secured to the body.

Figure 9 is a perspective sectional view of a portion of one of the side quarters showing the means used for attaching the longitudinally extending shield attaching strip thereto.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the to front supports and top front cross member,"showing the method of securing the same together.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the top front supports and co-operating curtain.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of one of the top front supports and co-opcrating curtain, taken on the line 12-12 of Figure 11 and illustrating means employed to prevent the curtain from withdrawing from the groove in the support.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary side view of a portlon of one of the curtains, showing the cllp secured thereto which engages the grooves in the supports "and thereby prevents the curtains from withdrawing from the same.

Figure 14 is a side view of one of the top rear supports.

Figure 15 is a section of the top rear support taken on the line 15-15 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a front edge view of the upper portion of the top rear support shown in 1 ure 14.

igure 17 is a section of the top rear support taken on the line 1717 of Figure 14.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of that part of one of the curtains which embodies the grommet for holding the curtain in unrolled position, to the door of the vehicle body.

Figure 19 is a fragmentar erspective view of a part of the vehic e ody door showing the catch for engaging the grommet shown in Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a perspective sectional view illustrating a fragment of one of the top cross ribs.

Figure 21 is a fragmentary view looking from beneath the top and showing the method of attaching the side quarters to the front cross member.

The frame of the top is composed mainly of metal stampin as best shown in Figure '2, and consists 0 side members or quarters 30, rear member or quarter 31, front cross member 32 and a plurality of cross ribs 33. The side members are preferably formed from sheet metal and are constructed to serve as the top side quarters, that is to say, they curve upwardly and inwardly from thelr lower edge to form with the cross ribs the frame for the flat upper portion of the top and they extend from the front cross member 32 rearwardly to the rear quarter. 31, conforming to the shape of that part of the finished top throughout. The rear quarter curves upwardly and inwardl from the bottom edge to the flat portion 0 the top in identically the same manner as the side uarters, and its ends are curved over to conform to the adjacent edge of the side quarters and are suitabl secured thereto by screws, weldin or ot er means. The front cross member 18 preferably formed of wood to more easily attach the windshield 81 and rain shield 82 thereto. As shown part1cularly in Figure 9 the lower edge of the slde quarters 30 and rear quarter 31 are turned inwardl to form a horizontally extending flange 83 for a purpose to be described hereafter, and the upper edge is bent downwardly and then inwardly to form an extendin flange 84 below the plane of the top. Exten 'ng between the side quarters I have shown six approximately equally spaced me- 'wardly) tallic cross ribs 33 having an inverted U shaped section with the open end of the U flanged outwardly as shown in Figure 20. The flanged portion is secured by riveting or weldin to the horizontally extending flange 84 at t e upper edge of the quarters 30 and the hei ht of the ribs 33 is such that their upper ice is flush with the upper face of the quarters 30. Alternate ribs 33 are shown as provided with a wooden strip 34 lying agalnst one side of the U and its corresponding flanged end to serve as tacking strips for the top covering. WVhile six cross ribs and wooden strips secured to the alternate ribs have been illustrated, any suitable number of ribs and any arrangement of wooden strips can be provided as needed to accomplish the desired result.

The side quarters are each provided with a forwardly extending projection 35 which is set into and secured to the front cross member 32 as shown in Fi ure 2, and a short angle bar 36'is bolted to t e rear face of the front cross member 32 and is bent around and secured to the lower inwardly flanged edge 83 of the side quarter 30 as shown in Figure 21 to rigidly secure the front cross member 32 to the side quarters 30. A similar angle 37 is bent to conform to the shape of the top adjacent the meeting edges of the side quarters 30 and rear quarter 31 and is secured to the lower inwardl flange 83 of these members to be them together. (See Figure 7.)

Welded, riveted or otherwise secured to the inner curved surface of the side quarters 30 are brackets 38 and 39 which are provided to support the rollers 40 in which the roller curtains 41 are mounted. Brackets for two of such curtains 41 are provided for each side, the rear curtains being arranged above the front curtains and the forward bracket for the rear curtain being positioned forward of the rear bracket for the front curtain so'that the rear edge of the front cutain will overlap the front edge of the rear curtain and will effectually prevent the entrance of rain or dust therethrough.

tter secure Secured to the underside of the side quarters 30 adjacent the inner flanged ed es extending Ill 84 thereof b the brackets 42 is a longitu inally exten 'ng strip '43 (see Figure 4) which serves as a tacking strip for t e edges of the inner top covering 44 and also'as a support for the shield 45 which is secured thereto b screws or other suitable means and whic serves as a finishing strip to enclose the curtains 41 in the quarters 30. The

lower edgeof the shield 45 extends downand inwardly to lie in a plane adjacent -t e inwardly turned -flange 83 at the bottom of the side quarters 30 and serves to guide the curtains and hold their upper edges in correct vertical p os1tion when the curtains are in lowered position.

A support or brace 46 to which the shield 45 is removably mounted is secured to the quarter 30 substantially midway of its ends by welding, riveting or other suitable means. The support 46 can be made of any of the well known materials and I have shown the same formed of strip metal to provide a portion secured to the upper portion of the quarter 30, and. a curve depending portion to which the shield 45 ma be secured, and

an upwardly and outward y curved portion larged to receive the buttons 53 whic are formed to extend over and clearthe curtain 41, and a depending flange adapted to be secured adjacent 'the lower edge of the quarter 30. v v

The top previously described can be completely assembled if desired before bein mounted on the vehicle and can be su porte thereon in any convenient manner y suitable supporting means and I have found that the means illustrated and about to be described affords such a supporting means which is very substantial and attractive in ap arance.

have shown the top sup orted on the body of the automobile by t e front supports 47 and rear supports 48,.th'e rear supports 48 being placed a substantial distance 1n front of the rear of the to and therefore carrying a major ortion o the weight of the entire top. T e front supports 47 are positioned at the extreme front of. the top ber 32 and side quarters'30 together, by.

means of bolts 50 and nuts 51.

As clearly shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12 the support 47 is formed to provide a vertically extendin slot or groove 52 in its rear face which is a apted to receive and guide the front edge of the front curtain 41, the inner or blind end of the groove bein ensecured to the front edge of. the front curtains 41 at spaced intervals for preventing the curtains 41 from pulling out of the groove 52.

The front edge of the top rear support 48 is curved in she to blen into the mes of the top and be y and is provided with a groove 54 (see that face and the groove is adapted to receive the rear edge of the rear curtain 41 for holding and iding the same. Asshown in section in i res 15 and 17, this member is made up .0 a plurality of Stampings body 61. and carry a relatively small portion of the Figure 15) opening out ontogether to form a section of very great strength and rigidity and at the same time to provide the groove 54 which extends throu h its length and which opens up into an enarged pocket 69 at the rear face thereof to receive the buttons 53 which are fastened to the rear edge of the rear curtain 41 in the same manner and for the same purpose as those described for use at the front edge of the front curtain. The rear support 48 is further formed adjacent the front edge on the outside face thereof with a pocket extending the full length of that edge for receiving and holding the tacking stri 55 for the top covering 56. The upper en of the rear support 48 is secured to the side quarter 30 by meansof bolts or screws 57 (see Fi ure 9) which pass through the'short ang e member 58 overlying the. inwardly turned lower flanged edge 83 of the quarter 30 and thread into the support 48 thus securely holding the one to the other. A flat metal guide 59 projecting above and inwardly from the up er end of the support 48 serves to guide the edge of the curtain 41 into the slot 54. Bolts 60 securely anchored in the lower end of the support 48 pass through holes in the top rail of the automobile body 61 and receive nuts thereon which securely hold the support 48 -to the (See Figure 5.)

Suitably secured to the lower face of the flanged lower edge 83 of the quarters 30 and 31 other than at the points where the su orts 47 and 48 are secured thereto is a tac mg strip 62 for tacking the sides of the top covering 56 to the top. The curved face of the to rear quarter 31 is rovided with a row 0 slots or holes 63 un er which a tacking strip, not shown, is secured to rovide a means for securing the meetinge es of the topcovering 56 and the covering or the back of the top and rear panels 64 which extend around the rear curved corners of the top between the body 61 and side and rear quarters 30 and 31. The rear panels 64 are provided with an inwardly flanged upper edge which lies against the tacking strip 62 and throu h which suitable screws 80 pass and three into the angle 37 previously described. The lower edge of the pane abuts against a bead 66 formed in the automobile body 61 adjacent the upper edge thereof and is secured in place by screws 67 dome lamp is desired a block such as 68 may be positioned between any of the adjacent ribs 33 and be secured thereto as shown in Figure 2. To support the top covering 56 over the open space between the ribs 33 conventional tape or fabric strips are secured longitudinally of the top to the tacking strips 34 for that purpose. The inner top covering 44 is secured in place in the conventional manner to the tacking strips 34 and its edges are secured to the longitudinally extending strips 43 as previously described. The shield 45being covered with lining material serves to finish the sides of the interior of the top 61.

If desired side windows 71 may be permanently supported by the top covering 56 between the top rear supports 48 and their adjacent rear quarter panels 64 and a rear window 72 may be supported by the same top covering 56 between the rear quarter panels 64.

As previously described, I prefer to use curtains 41 of the roller type and have shown the same provided with celluloid or other 'flexible transparent windows 73 which are capable of being rolled up with the curtains around. the roller 40. The lower front edge of the front curtains and the lower rear edge of the rear curtain are preferably notched or cut away (see Figure 1) so that when the curtains are pulled down to their extreme position the lower edge of the curtains will overlap the side of the automobile body to provide a secure joint therebetween. Each curtain is provided adjacent the lower edge and in the center thereof with a grommet 74 which is adapted to engage the catch 7 5 secured adjacent the upper edge of the body 61 in a position to engage the same and prevent any tendency of the curtain to flap. Immediately above the grommet 74 an opening 76 is provided in the curtains 41 to allow an occupant of the vehicle to insert his hand therethrough and engage the grommet 74 with the catch 75. A flap 77 sewed or otherwise secured to the curtains 41 above the opening 76 normally closes the same. A small angular piece of metal 78 secured to the lower edge of the flap 77 with one leg of the angle projecting therefrom may be provided to engage the tacking strip 62 when the curtains are raised and prevent the curtains from rolling up to a point which would render them inaccessible to the hand of a. person wishing to grasp them to pull them down. To further facilitate grasping of the curtains 41 when in rolled up position the shield 45 may be provided with a notch adjacent the center of each curtain to expose the edge of the curtain at that point. (See Figure 5.)

As a means for further reventing flapping of the curtains an upwardl 79 may be secured to the side of the body 61 to protect the'overlapping ed es of the curtains. The finger 79 is pre erably spaced from the side of the body a distance equal to the thickness of the edges of the two curtains and between which and the body the curtains are adapted to lie when in fully pulled down position.

Although I have illustrated a top construction wherein two curtains .are mounted for use when desired, it will readily be seen by those skilled in the art that the construction can be modified to include the use of a greater number of curtains or equally good results can be obtained by the use of one curtain. This latter construction would be very desirable in the use of tops of the permanent type when used on automobiles of the roadster type. While I have illustrated one form of mounting for the curtains, it will also be understood that I do not wish to limit my invention to the specific means illustrated as I have found that various means of supporting the curtains may be employed which will so position the same that the meeting edges of the curtains will overlap to provide a suitable closure for the occupants of the vehicle. It will also be seen that in the use of this type of top for long vehicles such as busses that it may be desirable to provide supporting members for the top intermediate the front and rear supports and that such supporting members can be provided with grooves or ways to receive the edges of the curtains ad'acent thereto in the same manner as descri ed for use in the construction illustrated. Likewise other changes can be made in the specific embodiment of the invention described without departing from the spirit and substance of the broad invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. The combination with an automobile of the open type of a permanent top therefor, the frame of said top comprising continuous coved sheet metal side and rear quarters permanently secured together, a front cross member secured to the forward ends of the side quarters, the lower edge of said side and rear quarters bein bent inwardly to form a horizontally exten ing flange, members conforming in shape to the top secured to said flange adjacent the meeting edges of the said top and rear quarters, angle members connecting said flange and said front cross member, a vertically extending support projecting up from said body and being secured to the angle member connecting said side quarters and said front cross member, and vertically extending supports projecting up from said body at a substantial distance forward'of the rear edge of said top secured to said horizontally extending flange.

2. The combination with an automobile of the open type, of a permanent top therefor,

said top having a frame comprised of conoverlapped relation, and members for su tinuous coved sheet metal side and rear porting said top on said automobile, sald quarters permanently secured together and members being provided with a groove in a front cross member rigidly secured across one face thereof for guiding said curtains.

5 the front ends of said side members, brackets Signed by me at Detroit, Michigan,

secured to the inner surface of said side U. S. A., this 2nd da of July, 1924. quarters for supporting roller curtains in 1 J OS PH H. BOURGON. 

